United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
NEW YORK: Appalled by the killing of a group of foreign tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the government to take immediate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice and to ensure security.
Gunmen dressed as paramilitary forces killed nine foreign tourists on June 23 in an unprecedented attack in the Himalayas of Gilgit-Baltistan. The gunmen stormed into a base camp, killing Chinese and Ukrainian climbers in an area of the far-flung north not previously associated with violence or militancy.
According to a press release available on the official UN website, Ban extended his condolences to the victims and their families.
The Secretary-General was deeply concerned by the mounting terrorist attacks and bombings in Pakistan, which in the past several weeks alone have claimed the lives of dozens of civilians.
He reiterated support of the UN to the Pakistani government in the face of terrorism and extremism.
The attack has drawn widespread public condemnation, with many urging the government to expose ‘elements’ threatening security in the region.
Lawmakers from the area have asked the government to monitor routes leading to the area and put an end to the infiltration of terrorists into the region.
Attacking the tourists was seen as an attack on the local tourist industry, which is expected to suffer the consequences.
COMMENTS (19)
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@PRO PAK: Isn't that exactly what "Bhai Log" is asking? Since the UN force will operate in the area of Jammu and Kashmir that's under the control of Pakistan. Looks like you both have a concurrence here.
Ban... I wish your reply was equally swift in the Myanmar killings and so many other things which somehow you don't notice.
@Bhai Log: how about sending peace keeping force in kashmir!!
@Sarah B. Haider: Even Osama Bin Laden was unsafe in Pakistan.
@Shakeel Landhi Wala: If we keep failing in protecting the lives of our and other's citizens then one day this will happen.
this an attack on our tourism industry
i dont know who is safe in our country, this is an attack on our tourism industry and we will see the results in the future
Extra Judicial Killings of Criminals & Terrorists is an answer
Its weird when one gets to read such statements from when its known it will fall to deaf ears, more had to be done long time ago. Pakistan's sane citizenry & its eastern neighbor have been raising alerts ever since but unfortunately, the 'home-grown' religious fundamentalist production is integrated with the Afghan situation. US has got to do something about AfPak, I think they've battered the living daylights out of Talibs for over a decade now. No carrots, just the stick now.. Be it TTP or Af Taliban.
Mr. Ban why should we take action against attackers? Don't you know that Talibans are our "brothers"?
I wonder why tourists have to risk their lives coming to a no-go country like Pakistan, where even the natives (religious and ethnic minorities) are not safe?
Ban ki Mon please also be concerned when innocent women and children are killed in US DRON E attacks.
Whatever glimmer of hope there was for the revival of our tourist industry, has been all but lost now....
@Bhai Log:
Yes all the Bhai Logs want UN to jump in and treat Pakistan as a failed nation.....It's a whole lot easier to let the cat out of the bad than putting it back in. Please grow up and open your eyes.
The country with all it nuclear weapons, 6th largest standing army which eats up billions of dollars every year in expenditures, is unable to protect its citizens; what to talk of foreigners; big talk, loud mouthed politicians and talk show hosts offer no solutions. The country is a failure. Absolute failure.
Tell your masters US to stop the drones make things easy for the new govt on the negotiation table and shutup....
"The Secretary-General was deeply concerned by the mounting terrorist attacks and bombings in Pakistan, which in the past several weeks alone have claimed the lives of dozens of civilians." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Oh Mr Ban did you not hear the Pakistani Ambassador stating at the UN there are no terrorist camps in that country. Obviosuly these militants have come from Mars.
Why not UN sends its peace keeping force to Pakistan?
UN = Do more, US = Do more, China = Do more and Pak = Hidden Hands, so don't know what to do.